Twelve foreign women who were rescued from Chinese-run scam compounds in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, have been found to be pregnant following sexual assault during their captivity. These women are now seeking medical treatment in Thailand, according to the Civil Society Network for Assistance to Human Trafficking Victims (CSNAHTV). The network has confirmed that these women were among the 320 trafficking victims, mostly Ethiopian nationals, who were held captive in various scam compounds across Myawaddy.
The women were subjected to sexual assault while being held against their will in these compounds, resulting in their pregnancies. Tragically, one of the women suffered a miscarriage on March 19. Their eventual release came about due to pressure from China on the Border Guard Force (BGF) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), who subsequently retrieved the victims from the scam compounds. The situation has highlighted the severe human rights violations occurring within these illegal operations along the Myanmar-Thailand border.
Jay Krittaya, coordinator of CSNAHTV, has formally requested humanitarian assistance and medical care for the pregnant women from Thai authorities and the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand. The Thai National Human Rights Commission has urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with relevant embassies and consulates regarding the women’s situation. Additionally, they have called upon the Thai National Security Council, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Defense to provide emergency medical treatment and care for these trafficking victims. The case has drawn attention to the urgent need for comprehensive support systems for trafficking survivors, particularly those requiring specialized medical care and psychological support.
